The sirens are still ringing in our ears after that wild cliffhanger. Honestly, if you're a fan of One Chicago, the summer hiatus always feels like a slow-motion walk through a smoke-filled hallway. You're just waiting for the air to clear so you can see what happened to Firehouse 51. The big question on everyone's mind right now is simple: when does the new season for chicago fire start?
NBC has finally locked in the schedule for the 2025-2026 television season. Clear your Wednesday nights. Chicago Fire Season 14 is officially set to premiere on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. It keeps its anchor spot. 9:00 PM ET/PT. Right between Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. It’s a tradition at this point.
The Fallout of Season 13
Last season changed everything. We lost Chief Boden to the Deputy Commissioner role, which felt like the end of an era. Then we had the introduction of Dom Pascal. Dermot Mulroney brought a completely different energy to the lead chair. It wasn't the "dad" vibe Boden had. It was colder. More calculated.
If you're wondering why the start date matters so much this year, it’s because of that massive Carver and Violet situation. Their "will-they-won't-they" turned into a "they-definitely-did-but-now-it's-messy" real fast. When the show returns in September, we aren't getting a massive time jump. Showrunner Andrea Newman has hinted in several interviews that the premiere needs to deal with the immediate emotional wreckage of the Season 13 finale.
The production cycle is back to its high-octane pace. Filming usually kicks off in Chicago around late July. If you happen to be wandering around the Near West Side near the real-life Engine 18 station, you'll probably see the trailers. They film through the brutal Chicago winters, which gives the show that gritty, authentic frozen-breath look that Los Angeles sets just can't fake.
Casting Shakes and New Faces
There’s always a bit of anxiety about who is staying on the truck. We know Taylor Kinney is locked in as Kelly Severide. It’s hard to imagine the show without him, especially now that the "Benny Severide legacy" storylines are heating up with the revelation of his half-brother, Jack Damon.
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Speaking of Damon, Michael Proudfoot’s character is going to be a major friction point in Season 14. Is he a hero? Is he a liability? The premiere will likely dive straight into his standing at 51 after he went rogue during that technical rescue call.
- Miranda Rae Mayo is back as Stella Kidd.
- David Eigenberg remains the heart of the show as Christopher Herrmann.
- Joe Minoso (Joe Cruz) and Christian Stolte (Mouch) are confirmed.
Hanako Greensmith’s Violet Mikami has arguably become the emotional protagonist of the show lately. Her journey through grief and then back into the dating pool has been the most grounded part of the series. When the new season starts, we’re going to see her dealing with the fallout of Carver’s departure from the firehouse. He didn't just leave the floor; he left the city.
Why the September Release Date is a Big Deal
For a while there, the TV schedule was a mess. Strikes and production delays meant we were getting short seasons or mid-winter starts. Not this time. Season 14 is a return to the "standard" 22-episode order. This is a relief.
Short seasons feel rushed. You can't do the "filler" episodes that actually build character. You know the ones—where Mouch and Herrmann get into a ridiculous argument about a leaf blower. Those episodes make us care when a building collapses on them later in the season. With a full 22-episode slate starting in September, the writers have room to breathe.
What to Watch While You Wait
September is a long way off. If you're itching for more 51 content, you should probably be re-watching the "crossover" events. The "Infection" trilogy remains the peak of the One Chicago universe.
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Also, keep an eye on the official Wolf Entertainment social media accounts. They usually start dropping "first look" photos and 15-second teasers around the third week of August. That’s when the hype machine really starts grinding.
The show is entering its fourteenth year. That is a massive achievement. Very few procedural dramas make it past a decade without losing their soul. Chicago Fire stays relevant because it focuses on the "found family" aspect. People come and go—Casey, Brett, Otis, Shay—but the firehouse remains a character in itself.
How to Stream the Premiere
If you don't have cable, don't sweat it. You've got options.
Peacock is the home for all things NBC. The new episodes of Chicago Fire Season 14 will drop on Peacock at 6:00 AM ET the day after they air on TV. So, if you miss the Wednesday night broadcast, you can watch it with your coffee on Thursday morning. If you're looking to catch up on the previous 13 seasons, they are all currently streaming there as well.
The technical accuracy of the rescues is also expected to level up. The show uses real firefighters as consultants and background extras. Steve "Chops" Chikerotis, a retired CFD District Chief, has been the backbone of the show's realism since day one. He’s back for Season 14 to ensure the calls look and feel like the real thing. This year, rumors suggest we might see more water-based rescues on the Chicago River, which are notoriously difficult and expensive to film.
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What We Still Don't Know
There is a lingering question about Eamonn Walker (Boden). While he stepped down as a series regular, the door was left wide open for guest appearances. Will we see him in the premiere? Usually, when a big character leaves, they pop back in for the first episode of the next season to "hand off the baton" formally. Fingers crossed we see him advising Pascal or helping Stella navigate her next career move.
The Carver situation is also a huge "maybe." Jake Lockett’s character ended Season 13 in a dark place. He’s technically on furlough. Whether he returns in the first episode or three episodes deep is still being kept under wraps by the writers.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
To make sure you don't miss a single detail leading up to the when does the new season for chicago fire start date, here is how you should prepare:
- Check your DVR settings by mid-September. NBC often changes the digital "slug" for show titles, which can occasionally cause automated recordings to fail.
- Subscribe to the Peacock "One Chicago" hub. They often release "The Story So Far" digital shorts about a week before the premiere that summarize the character arcs you might have forgotten over the summer.
- Follow the cast on Instagram. Actors like Miranda Rae Mayo and Joe Minoso are notorious for posting "behind-the-scenes" stories from the set in August, which often give away which characters are filming together in certain locations.
- Mark September 24, 2025, on your calendar. Set a reminder for 9:00 PM.
The wait is almost over. Firehouse 51 is heading back into the heat, and Season 14 looks like it’s going to be one of the most transformative years in the show's history. Between the new leadership and the simmering romances, the premiere is going to be a "must-watch" event for anyone who calls themselves a fan.